British tourists told to end their Italian holidays immediately and return home as coronavirus cases soar past 10,000 – The Sun

BRITS on holiday in Italy have been told to end their trips immediately, as cases of coronavirus soar past 10,000 in the country.

The order comes from the UK Foreign Office as the Italian authorities advise against travel for tourism purposes throughout Italy.

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A message on the FCO website reads: "British nationals remain able to depart Italy without restriction. Airports remain open throughout Italy.

"However, the Italian authorities have advised against travel for tourism purposes throughout Italy, and that tourists already on holiday in Italy should end their travel, unless it is necessary, to return to the place where they live.

"Airline schedules are subject to change and some flights are being cancelled. We therefore advise all remaining British tourists in Italy to contact their airline operators to arrange return to the UK as soon as possible."

In the last 24 hours, easyJet, Ryanair and British Airways have cancelled all of their flights in and out of Italy until April, following the ban on non-essential travel to the country as it goes into lockdown.

Travellers will be offered refunds, or be allowed to change their flights for free to fly at a later date.

British Airways flights to Italy will be suspended until the beginning of April, along with easyJet.

Ryanair has announced that it is suspending all Italian domestic flights from midnight tonight and all Italian international flights from midnight on March 13.

Passengers looking for repatriation can obtain a free move to an earlier Ryanair flight operating up until midnight on Friday.

Affected passengers will be able to choose between a full refund or a travel credit that can be redeemed on Ryanair flights in the next 12 months.

Wizz Air has also cancelled all flights between London Luton to Bari between March 11 and April 2, and Delta and American Airlines have suspended flights to Milan and Rome from the US until next month.

Meanwhile, United Airlines allows travellers to move their flights for free until the end of April if travelling to Bologna, Genoa, Milan, Trieste, Turin, Venice and Verona.

In Italy, all museums, attractions and sporting events have been been closed, along with schools and universities, while restaurants and bars will only stay open until 6pm.

Tourists returning to the UK from Italy from March 9 are advised to self-quarantine even if without coronavirus symptoms.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a Level 3 warning, recommending all but non-essential to Italy.

Brits have also been left concerned about tourists returning from Italy without any health checks despite the travel ban.

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